Hrvanje je u Iranu oduvijek bilo mnogo više od sporta. Široko se smatra „prvim i nacionalnim sportom“ zbog svojih dubokih povijesnih, kulturnih i društvenih korijena. Tradicionalni oblici hrvanja u Iranu prakticiraju se tisućama godina, razvijajući se u disciplinu koja odražava ne samo fizičku snagu, već i moralne i etičke vrijednosti.
Iranski hrvači očekuju se da utjelovljuju poniznost, hrabrost, velikodušnost, disciplinu i poštovanje, kako na strunjači tako i izvan nje. Hrvanje u Iranu nije samo sport – ono je dio našeg kulturnog identiteta. O njemu se govori svugdje: u selima i gradovima, u taksijima i kafićima, na obiteljskim okupljanjima i na radnim mjestima. Svi ga prate, analiziraju mečeve i dijele mišljenja. Djeca odrastaju slušajući o legendarnim prvacima i raspravljajući o tehnikama mnogo prije nego što uopće zakorače na hrvačku strunjaču. Zbog takvog okruženja, iranski hrvači razvijaju nešto što se teško može naučiti samo u dvorani: duboko, intuitivno razumijevanje sporta.
Kada ljudi diljem svijeta razmišljaju o iranskom hrvanju, često zamišljaju izuzetno zahtjevne sustave treninga, beskrajne treninge i sportaše koji svakodnevno guraju sebe do granica izdržljivosti, te vjeruju da uspjeh dolazi isključivo iz većeg volumena treninga. Međutim, stvarnost je mnogo strukturiranija i pametnija. Fokus nije na količini, nego na kvaliteti.
Čak i na najvišoj razini, reprezentativni hrvači ne treniraju hrvanje svaki dan. Tipično su tri do četiri hrvačka treninga tjedno dovoljna. Ostali dani posvećeni su oporavku, snazi i kondiciji, tehničko-taktičkoj analizi, mentalnoj pripremi i refleksiji. Ovakva struktura omogućuje sportašima da u potpunosti usvoje ono što su naučili i primijene to inteligentno u natjecanju.
Primarni cilj nije iscrpiti sportaše, nego razviti razumijevanje. Želimo da hrvači znaju zašto neka tehnika funkcionira, kada napasti, kada se braniti i kako čitati ritam meča.
Najvažnije, cilj je razviti iskrenu ljubav prema hrvanju. Kada hrvanje postane dio identiteta sportaša, motivacija više ne ovisi o vanjskom pritisku. Sportaši prirodno postaju znatiželjni, gledaju mečeve, postavljaju pitanja i stalno sami traže napredak. U tom smislu, prava snaga iranskog hrvanja nije samo u sustavu ili količini treninga, već u razvoju dubokog razumijevanja i unutarnje motivacije.
Imao sam priliku proučavati ovu filozofiju tijekom doktorskih studija na Sveučilištu u Beogradu u Srbiji, gdje sam završio doktorat iz sportske fiziologije i ljudske lokomocije s vrlo dobrim akademskim rezultatima. Ovo iskustvo mi je omogućilo da proširim svoje znanstveno razumijevanje sporta i trenerskog rada, ali i da upoznam novu kulturu i okruženje.
Život i rad u Srbiji naučili su me prilagodljivosti i pokazali kako sport može povezivati ljude različitih kulturnih i jezičnih pozadina. Iako je slobodno hrvanje još uvijek bilo u razvoju u sredini u kojoj sam prvotno radio, tijekom studija od 2022. do 2025. godine radio sam kao hrvački trener, usko surađujući s hrvačima i trenerima te dijeleći svoje iskustvo i trenersku filozofiju.
Tijekom tog razdoblja, žensko slobodno hrvanje u Srbiji pokazalo je jasan napredak u usporedbi s prethodnim godinama. Sportašice su osvajale medalje na europskim prvenstvima, postizale plasmane na postoljima na međunarodnim turnirima i postale balkanske prvakinje. Ovi rezultati odražavaju strukturirani razvojni proces temeljen na dosljednosti, tehničkom razumijevanju i dugoročnom planiranju. Ponosan sam što sam mogao doprinijeti tom napretku.
Nakon završetka akademskih studija, odlučio sam nastaviti trenersku karijeru u Hrvatskoj, konkretno u Hrvačkom klubu Podravka u Koprivnici.
Već sam ranije poznavao trenera i sportaše kluba kroz nekoliko zajedničkih trening kampova i natjecanja. Poštovao sam njihov karakter, razumio njihovu trenersku filozofiju i prepoznao da su naši pristupi hrvanju vrlo usklađeni. Kada sam razgovarao s upravom kluba, postalo je jasno da se njihova vizija poklapa s mojim vrijednostima: ozbiljnost, dugoročni razvoj sportaša i fokus na izgradnju hrvača, a ne na kratkoročne rezultate.
Također sam vidio veliki potencijal u sportašima. Vjerujem da ovaj klub ima hrvače sposobne natjecati se i uspjeti na najvišoj međunarodnoj razini, i to je bio ključni razlog moje odluke da im se pridružim.
Za mene, trenerski rad nikada nije bio samo osvajanje medalja. Hrvanje je u Iranu prirodno postalo dio mog identiteta i tu perspektivu prenosim u svoj trenerski rad. Moj cilj je pomoći sportašima da otkriju svoj puni potencijal, razviju duboko razumijevanje hrvanja i kroz sport rastu kao osobe.
Ako se mladim hrvačima pomogne da iskreno zavole sport, rezultati će doći prirodno. Kada hrvanje postane dio nečijeg života i načina razmišljanja, sportaš uvijek pronalazi svoj vlastiti put naprijed.
Danas svoj put vidim kao most između kultura. Iran mi je dao moje hrvačke korijene i rano iskustvo u sveučilištima, savezima i sportskim institucijama. Srbija je proširila moju akademsku i profesionalnu perspektivu. Hrvatska mi sada pruža priliku da se nastavim razvijati se kao trener i mentor. Kroz ovo putovanje, moj cilj ostaje isti: doprinijeti razvoju hrvanja i pomoći sportašima da rastu ne samo kao natjecatelji, već i kao osobe.
dr. sc. Ghadir Zahabi
Hrvački trener, 12. lipnja 2026.
Wrestling in Iran has always been much more than just a sport. It is widely considered the “first and national sport” due to its deep historical, cultural, and social roots. Traditional forms of wrestling have been practiced in Iran for thousands of years, evolving into a discipline that reflects not only physical strength but also moral and ethical values.
Iranian wrestlers are expected to embody humility, courage, generosity, discipline, and respect, both on and off the mat. Wrestling in Iran is not just a sport – it is part of our cultural identity. It is spoken about everywhere: in villages and cities, in taxis and cafes, at family gatherings, and in workplaces. Everyone follows it, analyzes matches, and shares opinions. Children grow up hearing about legendary champions and discussing techniques long before they even step onto a wrestling mat. Because of this environment, Iranian wrestlers develop something that can hardly be learned in the gym alone: a deep, intuitive understanding of the sport.
When people around the world think of Iranian wrestling, they often imagine highly demanding training systems, endless practices, and athletes pushing themselves daily to the limits of endurance, believing success comes solely from a higher volume of training. However, the reality is much more structured and smart. The focus is not on quantity, but on quality.
Even at the highest level, national team wrestlers do not train on the mat every day. Typically, three to four wrestling sessions per week are sufficient. The remaining days are dedicated to recovery, strength and conditioning, technical-tactical analysis, mental preparation, and reflection. This structure allows athletes to fully absorb what they have learned and apply it intelligently in competition.
The primary goal is not to exhaust the athletes, but to develop understanding. We want wrestlers to know why a technique works, when to attack, when to defend, and how to read the rhythm of a match.
Most importantly, the goal is to develop a genuine love for wrestling. When wrestling becomes part of an athlete’s identity, motivation no longer depends on external pressure. Athletes naturally become curious, watch matches, ask questions, and constantly seek improvement on their own. In this sense, the true strength of Iranian wrestling is not just in the system or the amount of training, but in the development of deep understanding and intrinsic motivation.
I had the opportunity to study this philosophy during my doctoral studies at the University of Belgrade in Serbia, where I completed my PhD in Sport Physiology and Human Locomotion with strong academic results. This experience allowed me to expand my scientific understanding of sport and coaching while also experiencing a new culture and environment.
Living and working in Serbia taught me adaptability and showed me how sport can connect people across different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Although freestyle wrestling was still developing in the environment where I initially worked, I served as a wrestling coach during my studies from 2022 to 2025, working closely with wrestlers and coaches and sharing my experience and training philosophy.
During this period, women’s freestyle wrestling in Serbia showed clear progress compared to previous years. Athletes achieved European medals, earned podium finishes at international tournaments, and became Balkan champions. These results reflect a structured development process based on consistency, technical understanding, and long-term planning. I am proud to have contributed to this progress and to have had a positive impact on the development of freestyle wrestling in Serbia.
After completing my academic studies, I chose to continue my coaching career in Croatia, specifically at Wrestling Club Podravka in Koprivnica.
I was already familiar with the club’s coach and athletes through several joint training camps and competitions. I respected their character, understood their coaching philosophy, and recognized that our approaches to wrestling were highly aligned. When I spoke with the club officials, it became clear that their vision matched my own values: seriousness, long-term athlete development, and a focus on building wrestlers rather than chasing short-term success.
I also saw strong potential in the athletes. I believe this club has wrestlers capable of competing and succeeding at the highest international level, and this belief was a key reason for my decision to join.
For me, coaching has never been only about winning medals. Wrestling naturally became part of my identity, and I carry that perspective into my coaching. My goal is to help athletes discover their full potential, develop a deep understanding of wrestling, and grow as individuals through sport.
If young wrestlers are guided to genuinely love the sport, performance outcomes will follow naturally. Once wrestling becomes part of a person’s life and mindset, they will always find their own path forward.
Today, I see my journey as a bridge between cultures. Iran gave me my wrestling roots and early experience in universities, federations, and sports institutions. Serbia expanded my academic and professional perspective. Croatia now provides the opportunity to continue developing as a coach and mentor. Through this journey, my goal remains the same: to contribute to the development of wrestling and to help athletes grow not only as competitors but also as individuals.
Ghadir Zahabi, Ph.D.
Wrestling Coach, June 12, 2026
